Zoology, the study of animals and their world, was my starting major in college. I have always wanted to study and live with nature. However, I realized that the chemistry and microbiology is not for me, and I made some very tough decisions regarding this. I made the move to Classics -I had been considering this for quite a long time. I am pleased with my change, but still hold a love for my first choice. :)
The aspect of Zoology that interests me the most is field study - I would love to dissappear into the Congo for a year! We really do need to give special care to preserving our natural world. The animals that interest me most are the Artiodactyla (even-toed hoofed mammals), small carnivores, and small primates. I am also interested in Geckos. My favorite animal is the Okapi. What's an Okapi, you ask?! This is an Okapi!
The Okapi is the closest relative of the giraffe. One of the last large mammals to be discovered, they live in the Congo Ituri Forest. They have a long tongue like giraffes, and the stripes on the rump are a kind of 'follow me' signal for calves. They are actually very friendly in captivity - I have met them! The 3 Okapis at the Columbus Zoo live in the African Forest exhibit. You should visit them.
Another animal that has captured my interest is the Tapir. Tapirs go waaaaay back in the history of hoofed mammals. (Odd-toed, the Perissodactyla.) The modern genus Tapirus was here 20 million years ago! Here is a Malayan Tapir with it's baby.
I first saw a Tapir at the Disney's Animal Kingdom. They are one of the most interesting animals to study, partly because of their ancient roots, but mostly because they are one of those unknown animals who are in great danger, and people need to be educated about them. All 4 species of Tapir are endangered, and as the Tapir Gallery (link below) says, "Saving Tapirs helps save the rainforest." Everything is linked together in this world.
An animal that I would very much like to study in the field is the Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus). I have prepared a separate page for them, as I hope to do for the other animals on this page in the future.
View the Quolls!!
I also enjoy the study of extinct animals. I like this picture of the Spinosaurus from Jurassic Park III...although I don't think there is enough real fact to tell if it was THAT big.
If you are really interested in Dinosauria, read Bob Bakker's book The Dinosaur Heresies. And don't trust Steven Spielberg.